Variability of Carbon Dioxide and Methane in the Epilimnion of Lake Kivu

We report a dataset of the partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) and methane concentrations (CH4) in the surface waters of Lake Kivu obtained during four cruises covering the two main seasons (rainy and dry). Spatial gradients of surface pCO2 and CH4 concentrations were modest in the main basin. In Kabuno Bay, pCO2 and CH4 concentrations in surface waters were higher, owing to the stronger influence of subaquatic springs from depth. Seasonal variations of pCO2 and CH4 in the main basin of Lake Kivu were strongly
driven by deepening of the epilimnion and the resulting entrainment of water characterized by higher pCO2 and CH4 concentrations. Physical and chemical vertical patterns in Kabuno Bay were seasonally stable, owing to a stronger stratification and smaller surface area inducing fetch limitation of wind driven
turbulence. A global and regional cross-system comparison of pCO2 and CH4 concentrations in surface waters of lakes highlights the peculiarity of Kabuno Bay in terms of pCO2 values in surface waters. In terms of surface CH4 concentrations, both Kabuno Bay and the main basin of Lake Kivu are at the lower end of values in lakes globally, despite the huge amounts of CH4 and CO2 in the deeper layers of the lake.